Encantadia Chronicles
Sang’gre: The Mythical Saga Continues
Sang’gre: The Mythical Saga Continues
8 August 2025
Photos: Courtesy of GMA Network
Kelvin Miranda: “Ang isang maiiwang values sa mga manood, sa mga bagong henerasyon, ay ’yung mga bagay na makakasalamuha natin ay hindi parati na lang maganda. Kailangan i-expect din natin ang mga negative na ma-e-encounter natin lalo na ’yung magdadala sa atin sa kabutihan. Sa pagtuto natin sa mga kasalanan, sa mga pagkakamali natin, dun tayo matututong lumaban ng patas, na maging matapang at maging better persons.”
Noel Flores: “Adamus is not just a child of Lireo through Alena; he is more a child of Adamya, being the son of a chieftain of Gunikar. His existence means Adamya shall flourish and will rise as a stronghold for all magical fauna and flora of Encantadia.
“He inherits the pillum called Agos, which is both a sword and a short spear. He is also blessed by the Water Gem with a throwing weapon that also divides or transforms into two hand blades. The weapon is called Daluyong.”
ADAMUS
The Slave Prince
Angel Guardian: “Unang-una, gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat sa malaking tiwala ninyo sa akin na gampanan ang character ni Deia. Until now, sobrang surreal pa rin sa akin. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nandito na ako, pinapangarap ko lang ito.
DEIA
The Rebel Heart
“Actually, never ko naisip na maging tagapangalaga ako ng brilyante. Naglalaro lang ako nung bata ako bilang Amihan. At ngayon nandito na ako, natupad ‘yung childhood dream ko.”
Flores: “Deia grew up a native of Mine-a-ve. Her mantle is a reflection of her roots fused with the elemental motifs of Air. Her weapons are a War bow with obsidian-tipped arrows. Her bow’s name is Aga-as. Her close-quarter weapons are pickaxes that are also throwing weapons. They are called Huni and Hi-aw [Hiyaw].”
Faith da Silva: “Sa totoo lang po, napakalaking obligasyon bilang maging isang Sang’gre. Siguro, ’yung nakatulong talaga sa akin ng todo-todo para di makaramdam ng pressure ay ’yung basbas ng mga OG Sang’gres. Si Ate Glaiza [de Castro, the 2016 Pirena, keeper of the Fire Gem], I really let her know that coming into this show, I was really pressured because it’s a huge obligation.
“Dahil ang hirap sundan ng Ada [Mother] Pirena, tama po ba? At ang naunang Pirena [Sunshine Dizon]. Ngunit si Sang’gre Flamara ay anak ni Pirena at ni Azulan. So, ibang tapang ito, ibang apoy ito.”
Flores: “Flamarra’s image is a fusion of Hathoria and Punjabwe culture. The fire gem blessed her with a mantle that represents her purpose, which is to balance justice and the free spirit. She carries in her heart her mother’s guardianship or flame for justice. She also cherishes the spirit of freedom brought about by the teachings of her father, Azulan.
“Her weapons are a left-hand gun blade, which is Hathorian in design, and a Punjabwe Scimitar.”
FLAMARRA
The Flame Keeper
Flores: “Her design is a direct reflection of her mother, Danaya, in a simplified way to show the energy of youth. For me, it is the passing on of responsibility. She carries the same principles, ideals, and vow or guardianship. Both Danaya and Terra are Mother Earth personified with steroids and ready to fight and smash any threat that endangers the world they love.
“Her weapon is called Balangis. A staff that divides and turns into arnis or kali sticks. The details on the costume are hyper-intricate and very organic, compared to the 2016 guardian costume. It was through close and periodic collaboration [via Zoom video calls] between Mersinaryo Production Services, the wardrobe department, and I that the designs for Terra’s mantle looked the way it is, which is fantastic. “
Bianca Umali: “Sa Encantadia, you can be anything you want to be. Sa Encantadia, nasa ibang mundo ka. Sa kabila ng lungkot na pinagdadaanan natin dito sa mundo, maaari kang pumunta sa Encantadia at doon magsasaya ka. Kasama mo ang iba’t ibang pashnea, iba’t ibang nilalang at mga warka.
“Encantadia is for everyone. Ang Encantadia ay nasa puso nating lahat. Ito po ay para sa atin at ginawa namin para sa inyo.
“Ang project na ito ay hindi biro. We cannot emphasize more that it was two years of our lives creating this show. And time before that even, to start training when the project was announced to us.
“To train for this means sacrificing not just everything around us but ourselves. We sacrificed the things that we wanted to do. We sacrificed the time with our loved ones. We sacrificed dreams that we put on hold.
“Gusto naming ibigay lahat ng atensyon, oras at pagod sa proyektong ito dahil ayaw naming mapahiya sa mga Encantadics na nag-aabang sa napakalaking mundo ng Encantadia.
“Kelan po namin nararamdaman na kami ang mga bagong tagapangalaga ng mga brilyante? Para sa akin, pag magkakasama kaming apat. Tuwing magkakatabi kami at humaharap sa inyong lahat.
“This is the most powerful feeling that we have. We may have our own brilyante at elemento. But we are the strongest when we are complete and together.”
TERRA
The Chosen One
GABBI GARCIA
“Our bond is priceless and irreplaceable”
“Avisala from the 2016 Sang’gres. Magandang Gabbi. May crossover,” Gabbi quipped, referring to her trademark greeting as one of the hosts of the then-ongoing Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition.
Gabbi, who played Alena, was asked about the changes from their 2016 version to the 2025 spin-off, bared:
“From 2016 and now 2025, fast forward nine years later, I can say that there were changes and meron din namang nanatili, di ba? First, as you can see, our costumes are different. Age-wise, ako, I was 17 when we shot Encantadia last 2016.
“Now I'm 26, I'm turning 27 this year. And nag-iba na din ‘yung buhay namin lahat. Pero ang nanatili is the bond, the sisterhood, and the relationship that we all formed.
“And that is very priceless and that is irreplaceable. No one can ever replace that kind of bond. Sabi ko nga, we have such a low-maintenance friendship, kaming apat with Kylie [Padilla, who played Amihan].
“Kahit na matagal kaming ‘di nagkikita, kung magkita kami, parang walang nagbago. And that's something that you cannot just get in this industry. And that's what Encantadia brought to us.”
In the 2005 Encantadia original, Pirena, portrayed by Sunshine Dizon, is the eldest of the four Sang’gres, and the keeper of the Gem of Fire. Amihan (Iza Calzado), the second eldest, is the keeper of the Gem of Air.
Alena, played by Karylle, is the third sister, and is the keeper of the Gem of Water. And Danaya (Diana Zubiri), the youngest, is the keeper of the Gem of Earth.
In the 2016 version, Pirena was played by Glaiza de Castro, Amihan by Kylie Padilla, Alena by Gabbi Garcia, and Danaya by Sanya Lopez. Except for Kylie, who will reportedly only have minimal participation as her character was killed off, the 2016 Sang’gres will have pivotal roles in the present spin-off.
At the grand mediacon for the new series held at Studio 6 at GMA Network on June 8, Gabbi, Glaiza and Sanya waxed nostalgic as they expressed their gratitude to the show that catapulted them to stardom.
The 2016 SANG'GRES
ALENA
SANYA LOPEZ
“Once a Sang’re, Always a Sang’gre”
The sultry Sanya Lopez was sought for her advice to the new sang’gres in terms of what she wish she had done when she played the role of the earthy Danaya:
“Siguro masasabi ko, alam naman po ng nakararami na dito po ako nagsimula. Dito po nila ako nakilala bilang si Danaya at bilang si Sanya Lopez. Eto po.
“Eto pong Encantadia. Sa ngayon po, ang masasabi ko, wala po akong pinagsisihan nung ginawa ko ‘yung Encantadia. Wala rin akong na-miss na gawin nung nag Encantadia ako.
“Dahil itinodo ko po doon. Gutom ako. Gutom ako maging successful. Gutom ako mag-inspire ng ibang tao. At literal na gutom. At gutom rin po talaga kami. Pero ang totoo po ‘yun, sinabi ni Gabbi kanina na ‘yung bond namin, walang makakapagbago noon.
“Hanggang ngayon, ganun pa rin yung samahan namin. At ang ma-i-advise ko lang, yes, na itodo n’yo na. Tapos na ang ating sang’gre.
“Eto na, ipapalabas na natin ito. Ma-i-advise ko lang sa inyo, galingan nyo pa. At lahat ng mga aral na natutunan ninyo, lahat ng pagsasama ninyo bilang co-actor at pagiging magkakaibigan, dalhin n’yo ‘yan sa pagtanda.
“At may nagsabi rin sa amin, sa amin, Once a sang’gre, Always a sang’gre. Keep inspiring people. ‘Yun lang masasabi ko.”
DANAYA
PIRENA
GLAIZA DE CASTRO
“’Encantadia is part of Filipino culture”
Glaiza de Castro, who played the fierce and fiery Pirena in the 2016 version, was asked for her message to long-time Encantadics, the loyal fans of the series, and to new viewers discovering the world of Encantadia for the first time:
“Alam mo ngayon pa lang nakikita ko ‘yung mga Encantadics na dito, sa harapan namin. Tuwang-tuwa po ako, at maraming-maraming salamat sa pagbibigay niyo ng chance sa amin in 2016. Maraming salamat sa pagtanggap n’yo. At sa mga bagong henerasyon ng mga Encantadics, nasaan kayo? Ang mga susuporta sa mga bagong henerasyon ng sang’gre, umpisa pa lang to ng kung anong tatanggapin niyo.
“Hindi pa natatapos ang kwento ng Encantadia. At sana magpatuloy ‘to hanggang sa mga susunod na taon dahil ang Encantadia ay parte ng Filipino culture at maraming aral tayong makukuha dito. ‘Yung values ng Encantadia ay sana po ipagpatuloy po natin.
“So maraming-maraming salamat at sana suportahan niyo itong Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre gaya ng pag-suporta niyo sa mga nakaraang Encantadia.”
MIKA SALAMANCA & SHUVEE ETRATA
Like the costumes of the Sang’gres, the costumes for Veshdita and Anaca were created by lead visual designer Noe; Flores.
“Ironically, Shuvee Etrata’s character, Veshdita, was more of a comic-book art render than the painterly approach. I found Shuvee’s personality to be animated and comical that I chose to draw her like a comic-book character, though it’s a remote definition from the script,” Flores shared.
“She made a great impression on me when they were presented as the new talents of Sparkle GMA way back in 2023. I said, ‘This bubbly islander girl from Cebu has a lot going for her. She should have a place in the franchise.’ And I think she can be more,” added Flores.
Anaca, on the other hand, was designed right after Mitena was conceptualized. Mika Salamanca, however, was not yet in the picture.
“I designed Anaca to look small in stature and thought of her to be the only character Mitena would trust... Or so I thought,” said Flores. “Mika fits well as the character physically and acting-wise.”
In their Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition journey, Shuvee Etrata and Mika Salamanca are two of the housemates who represent GMA’s Sparkle Talents. Shuvee is part of the much-beloved duo “ShuKla” with Kapamilya singer Klarisse de Guzman. Mika, meanwhile, is the Big Winner with her duo, Brent Manalo.
As it turns out, Shuvee and Mika are batting for the same team in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre, that of the archvillain Mitena, the vengeful ivtre played by Rhian Ramos. Shuvee, as Veshdita, is part of the Mine-ave army while Mika, as Anaca, is Mitena’s shape-shifting owl and spy.
Besides Shuvee’s voluptuous figure and Mika’s captivating face card, what gives their characters a compelling screen presence are their costumes.
Shuvee’s warrior costume is akin to Antiope’s, the general from Themyscira who trained Wonder Woman. While Mika’s avian version is being compared to the owl-transforming character Philippa Eilhart, a sorceress and advisor in the Netflix series “The Witcher” played by Cassie Clare.
From Bahay ni Kuya to Encantadia
Rhian Ramos
World-Building and Most Difficult Costumes to Create
As the most epic fantaserye ever seen on Philippine television, the world-building of “Encantadia” continues to evolve, from the 2005 to 2016 to 2025 versions.
“I was still in New Zealand while most of the costumes were being manufactured,” shared Noel Flores, the visionary lead visual designer of the fantaserye. “I would sketch the initial rough studies of the requirements and then work on them through Photoshop using my Apple Mac and a Huion tablet.”
“Personally, designing for the franchise has evolved since 2005. From a fully manual process, designing has become almost fully digital... ‘almost,’” he added. “Working remotely has also done wonders, as most of the designs were made offshore while I was studying business management and transmedia strategies in New Zealand.”
“With regards to world-building, this third version of ‘Encantadia’ has a more modern take. The lines were cleaner and we had more practical light sources as against the more organic feels of the first one and the medieval-ish look of the second one,” says Bill Gustilo, the production designer. “We intended to bring the sets into the modern era without sacrificing its mystical, magical and fantasy direction.”
Even the gowns and “everyday wear” of the Sang’gre’s has increased its glam factor.
“The Sang’gre gowns and everyday wear were designed to suit each element that they represent. Not only in colors but also in motifs used in the details. Materials used were velvet, silk brocade, chiffon, jacquard, leather, satin, lace, and more,” shares costume designer Rolen Solitario.
MITENA
Some materials are even crumpled, texturized, and processed for it to look like it is made from magical means. Most parts are hand-sewn and some appliqués are hand-crafted. The end goal is to make it seem like it was made not by people but by diwatas!
According to Solitario, the costumes were made in collaboration with the director, costume designer, production designer, and the conceptual creatives. Costumes are also based on how each character is written, their trajectory in the script. Designs are always intentional, without going over the budget, of course.
“Costumes made? Hundreds! Wardrobe team--- around 7. Armorers--- around 10 -15. Hair and makeup--- 7. You may say that there are so many people involved, yes. But each and every one of them is distinct from one another, so that is where collaboration enters to make the most magical, mystical costume for every character,” explains Solitario.
Solitario said the most challenging costumes to create were those of the four Sang’gres and Mitena’s. They underwent a long process of fittings and edits on what works and what doesn’t, passing through a lot of scrutiny under very discerning eyes.
The production of these pieces alone was very meticulous. The undergarments and the fabric side were done by seamstresses, while the armors were fabricated by hand in a different shop. There were a lot of parts and pieces that composed this costume.
“The costume that gave us the most fulfilment when it was finally worn was actually the Mitena royal gown,” Solitario gushed. “The room actually felt electric when Rhian Ramos came out of her dressing room! It somehow completed the character of Mitena and it seems the character really came to life.”